Over the years, we’ve built our Wine & Beer department slowly and carefully and we now boast one of the most comprehensive and exciting wine departments in Vermont. To make things even better, we have in-the-aisle staff to help you make sense of all those gorgeous bottles. Wondering what wine pairs with what food? We are here to help! Our Beer selection is huge with over 20 feet of refrigerated beers from all over the world. Special orders, full-case special pricing, and going the extra mile are all part of our plan! We have regular wine tastings right here at the store.
What's New
Wine of the Week – Sleght of Hand Renegade Red
Sleight of Hand winery is a newcomer to the shelves of Vermont. The primary label is called Sleight of Hand and these wines go for the $20 – $50 range. Their second label is called Renegade Red and this falls in the more everyday price range. The blend of Renegade Red changes year to year, and this one is comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 1% Petite Verdot.
Not only a fun label, this wine seriously over delivers for the price. Coming from some of the best vineyard sites in Washington, this gives a peak into what some of the best wineries are putting out in their higher end bottlings. It has dark red and black fruits with hints of coffee, earth, and just enough tannin to make it food friendly, yet enough fruit that it can be drunk on it’s own.
Think House Wine from Charles Smith and you have a good idea as to what Trey Busch is doing with Renegade Red on a much smaller level. Pick up a bottle today!
$10.99
R. Stuart Winery Tasting – Monday 5/7 from 3:00-6:00
Rob Stuart from R. Stuart Winery will be here for a tasting of his wines this coming Monday. R. Stuart is located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. They focus on Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, as well as a small amount of sparkling wine and dessert wine.
He strives to create high quality wines under the R. Stuart line sourcing grapes from some of the most premier areas within the Willamette Valley. He also produces a line of wines called Big Fire that represent his more everyday wines. Come meet the man behind the wines and try through his lineup. They’re delicious!
Beer of the Week – Alchemist Celia Saison
Hitting our shelves this Wednesday is a gluten-free beer release from the Alchemist called Celia Saison. This anticipated beer is made with Sorghum and brewed with Orange Peel. The Alchemist’s (Heady Topper) John Kimmich says in a recent interview, “ who had even heard the word “gluten,” much less seen it with prevalence on food packaging? But now, it appears that gluten’s mainstream moment has arrived. Heightened awareness of celiac disease has led to growing public concern over gluten, the protein composite found in grains and cereals that people with the disease cannot digest…
To read more from that interview with John Kimmich… http://www.brewsreporter.com/gluten-free-beers/
This is a must try for all beer lovers and a great way to support Vermont brews!
4 Pack $8.79
Wine of the Week – Three Wine Company
We have three wines from a California husband and wife team, Matt and Erin Cline. When Matt left Cline Cellars, which he ran with his brother, in 2001 he and Erin founded their first family winery together, Trinitas Cellars. They built the brand and in short order sold it, just in time to create Three Wine Company in 2006. Today Erin is largely in charge of sales, manages the company and oversees the company’s new tasting room in the Sacramento-delta town of Clarksburg. Matt continues as winemaker.
The wines are 2010 Zinfandel, 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel, and 2009 Old Vines Field Blend. The Old Vines Field Blend is sourced from ancient vineyards in Contra Costa County and is a blend of 34% Zinfandel, 27% Carignane, 19% Petite Sirah, 17% Mataro, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Black Malvoisie.
2010 Zinfandel $12.99
2009 Old Vines Field Blend and 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel $16.99
10% Case Discount
Citizen Cider Tasting Friday April 27th 3:30-6:30
Three friends came together with a vision to produce a delicious cider that was made from local apples and had broad base appeal. Citizen Cider was born. Kris Nelson, Justin Heilenbach and Bryan Holmes each bring their own area of expertise to the table. Kris is a wine guy, Justin has the farm connections and Bryan is a chemist. They started making small test batches in Holmes’ basement two years ago perfecting their recipe.
I had the opportunity to try some of those early batches and could not believe the results – they were incredible! I have been waiting for their release ever since and am proud to carry this local product. They have since grown out of the basement and into a facility in Fort Ethan Allen. They bought a wooden apple press from the 1950’s, have a fermentation tank from Switchback and are buying apples from Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury. Come meet these guys on the 27th and try the cider for yourself – it’s fantastic!
Wine of the Week – Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2009
Proprietor Josh Jensen looked high and low to find a place to grow Pinot Noir that resembled Burgundy, France. After an exhaustive search, he settled on a hilltop in the Central Coast of California with the perfect combination of limestone soils, elevation and weather conditions. He has been making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay there since 1974.
Not much has changed since then, except he had the benefit of 37 years of experience and is still putting out some of the best wines in the area. Calera’s 2009 Central Coast bottling is made from highly sought after purchased fruit from Laetitia Vineyard and the Doctor’s Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands. This is one of the best Calera Central Coast bottlings we’ve had in years, and if you don’t believe us, read Antonio Galloni’s review in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate below:
“The 2009 Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with expressive red fruit, flowers, spices and mint. It shows lovely mid-palate juiciness and an elegant, polished finish. At $24 a bottle, it may very well be the single finest value in American Pinot Noir. I was hardly surprised to learn Emirates chose to serve this wine in their business class cabin last year. This is a dazzling wine from start to finish. It is also one of the two Pinots in this tasting (the others are 2008s) made from fully destemmed fruit. Wow! Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. (Aug. 2011)
92 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
$24.99
Cooper Mountain Tasting, April 12th 4-6
Barbara Gross of Cooper Mountain Vineyard will be visiting Healthy Living.
She is not only the National Sales Manager, but also the owner’s daughter. Cooper Mountain is in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. They focus on organically grown Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. They are certified sustainable and salmon safe and make a range of lovely wines which we will be pouring in the wine aisle Thursday April 12th from 4-6. Join us to try some of these delicious offerings!
